neckringer
03-01-2004, 12:10 PM
Potential Duck Pond?
Artificial Everglades wetland begins filling in western Palm Beach County.
The task required 29 miles of canals and moving of 11 million cubic yards of dirt and rock, but water began flooding last week onto what state officials describe as the largest constructed wetland in the world. The 26-square-mile marsh in western Palm Beach County constitutes an initial step in the massive Everglades cleanup.
The goal of the wetlands is to reduce phosphorus levels to 10 parts per billion by 2006. Current excess phosphorus causes growth of unwanted cattails and other exotics, choking out native vegetation and disrupting natural water flow. Water managers will utilize cattails and other aquatic vegetation and algae to remove pollutants.
“We’re allowing nature to do what nature does best, and that is to heal itself,” said Ernie Barnett, Department of Environmental Protection director of ecosystem projects.
Duck hunters have to be hoping, in addition to cleansing the Everglades that the marsh will also appeal to ducks on the same level that birds have been attracted to the similar STA-5, which boasts perhaps the finest duck hunting in Florida.
Artificial Everglades wetland begins filling in western Palm Beach County.
The task required 29 miles of canals and moving of 11 million cubic yards of dirt and rock, but water began flooding last week onto what state officials describe as the largest constructed wetland in the world. The 26-square-mile marsh in western Palm Beach County constitutes an initial step in the massive Everglades cleanup.
The goal of the wetlands is to reduce phosphorus levels to 10 parts per billion by 2006. Current excess phosphorus causes growth of unwanted cattails and other exotics, choking out native vegetation and disrupting natural water flow. Water managers will utilize cattails and other aquatic vegetation and algae to remove pollutants.
“We’re allowing nature to do what nature does best, and that is to heal itself,” said Ernie Barnett, Department of Environmental Protection director of ecosystem projects.
Duck hunters have to be hoping, in addition to cleansing the Everglades that the marsh will also appeal to ducks on the same level that birds have been attracted to the similar STA-5, which boasts perhaps the finest duck hunting in Florida.